Department of Justice Seal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AG

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2001

(202) 616-2777

WWW.USDOJ.GOV

TDD (202) 514-1888


ATTORNEY GENERAL'S STATEMENT REGARDING

THE ARREST OF JAMES CHARLES KOPP


"I'm grateful to have this opportunity this afternoon to commend FBI Director Louis Freeh, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the French law enforcement officials for their work in apprehending James Charles Kopp.

"I also want to thank the U.S. Attorney's office in Buffalo, New York, the Office of International Affairs in the Criminal Division here at the Justice Department, as well as the Office of Enforcement Operations here at the Justice Department.

"Additionally, I want to thank for cooperation in this important matter, Ed Adamson, the Director of Interpol, all of these individuals and agencies and components of the Justice effort in this country for accommodation, and for their success in working with French authorities.

"Mr. Kopp was apprehended on a provisional arrest warrant based on federal and state charges, which were filed in 1998. Kopp was indicted on federal charges of using deadly force to prevent Dr. Barnett Slepian from providing legally available health services. He did so using a firearm to commit a crime of violence, according to the charges.

"We are committed to bringing Mr. Kopp back to the Untied States to face these charges. Violence is not a way to resolve our differences. That's why the FACE laws were passed, and I intend to enforce those laws. This enforcement act was made possible as a result of this act of teamwork. It's simply one of those opportunities to do what is right and to avoid the kind of violence and injustice that would otherwise occur.

"The Justice Department is beginning the formal extradition process with France at this time. So I want to commend again the Director of the FBI, French law enforcement officials, officials as Interpol, officials at the Office of Enforcement Operations, and those officials in the Office of International Affairs here in the Criminal Division, together with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Buffalo, New York, for this achievement."

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